Where Compassion Finds a Home: The Story of the Rainbow Room

Lannie T. Fofue, MD – National Children’s Hospital, Philippines: In the quiet moments when words fall short and presence means everything, spaces of compassion become sacred. It is in these moments that a vision was born—one that seeks to transform care, deepen human connection, and honor the stories of children and families facing life’s most fragile journeys.

For many years, end-of-life care for children in our institution reflected the realities faced by many low- and middle-income settings: crowded wards, limited resources, and constrained spaces for privacy. Children were cared for alongside other patients and families, often with only one caregiver allowed at the bedside at a time. In these shared environments, families did their best to comfort their children while navigating noise, interruptions, and the demands of a busy ward. These final moments—deeply sacred and irreplaceable—were frequently spent without the dignity, privacy, and peace that every child and family deserves. As a result, only a small number of patients accessed structured end-of-life care, highlighting a critical gap in compassionate pediatric services.

In response, the Rainbow Room Project was initiated by Dr. Lannie T. Fofue, with the vision of creating a dedicated space where children and families could experience end-of-life care with dignity, privacy, and compassion. The concept was first developed in May 2024—originally conceived during leadership training under the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration—and formally proposed to address these gaps. By January 2025, the proposal was approved and a space identified for renovation. However, implementation was delayed, and the project remained in transition. Momentum resumed in January 2026 when the Three Lights Foundation stepped forward to support and lead the renovation, transforming the vision into reality through shared commitment and collaboration.

Thoughtfully designed by Architect Maria Frances T. Cervantes, the Rainbow Room provides a warm and calming environment that prioritizes comfort and dignity. It includes two patient beds, a couch for caregivers, storage for personal belongings, and a softly lit, air-conditioned interior with gentle pastel tones. An open area allows space for reflection, play, and meaningful family interaction—supporting both children and their loved ones during critical moments of care.

This vision came to life on March 18, 2026, with the official opening of the Rainbow Room at the National Children’s Hospital—the first dedicated space of its kind in the Philippines. More than a physical room, it represents a meaningful shift toward compassionate, family-centered pediatric palliative care.

The opening ceremony gathered around 100 attendees from across the healthcare and palliative care community. Among those present were Dr. Maricel B. Wong, District IV Health Officer representing the Office of the City Mayor; Dr. Alfonso G. Nuñez, President of the Philippine Cancer Center; Dr. DJhoanna G. Aguirre-Pedro, President of the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; Ms. Carolyn T. Tongco, Child Life Officer for Training of Kythe Foundation; Ms. Ma. Melody Sicat, Administrative Director of the Three Lights Foundation; and Mr. Christian Bondoc, Communication and Operations Director of the Three Lights Foundation, together with representatives from the Blood and Cancer Care Center, the Department of Pediatrics, and the Office of the Chief of Medical Professional Staff, as well as other pediatric palliative care advocates and partners from local and international communities.

The program was marked by meaningful moments, including the unveiling of the official marker, the blessing led by Fr. Peter Gañon, and the signing of the Deed of Donation between the National Children’s Hospital and the Three Lights Foundation. A moving testimony was shared by Mommy Lolly Fe C. Imperial. These moments reflected not only the significance of the space, but the shared commitment of all partners to advancing compassionate pediatric care.

Messages of support were shared by both local and international partners, reflecting a strong network of collaboration in advancing pediatric palliative care. International partners, including Canuck Place, represented by Camara Van Breemen, and the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, represented by Dr. Megan Doherty, highlighted the importance of global partnerships in building sustainable and meaningful palliative care services.

The Rainbow Room stands as a testament to what can be achieved through vision, leadership, and collective effort. More than a space, it is a promise—that every child and family will be met with empathy, dignity, and holistic care.

This initiative offers a meaningful and replicable model for other resource-limited settings seeking to improve dignity in pediatric end-of-life care.

As its doors open, the Rainbow Room also opens new possibilities for pediatric palliative care in the Philippines—care that is not only clinical, but deeply human. In this space, compassion truly finds a home.